Dental emergencies can strike unexpectedly, leaving you in pain and uncertainty about what to do next. You can be prepared the next time a dental emergency strikes by understanding what counts as a dental emergency so you can protect your oral health and treat problems promptly. Whether it’s a severe toothache you can find relief from, a damaged tooth, or a broken filling, knowing to seek the care of an emergency dentist can greatly impact your oral health and smile. But precisely what counts as a dental emergency?

What Counts As a Dental Emergency?

We will go over various types of dental emergencies and symptoms that indicate you may need to seek the care of a dentist immediately. From there, we cover the steps you should take if you find yourself in an emergency dental situation. By equipping yourself with information, you can act swiftly and with confidence to manage discomfort and prevent exacerbating the issue.

Severe Discomfort

If you are experiencing pain that can’t be managed through mouth rinses and over-the-counter pain medication, it may be time to seek the care of an emergency dentist. Intense mouth pain can be caused by:

Dental decay
Gum disease
Abscess
Impacted wisdom teeth
Trauma

Signs you may be experiencing a pain-related dental emergency:

Throbbing, pulsing, or stabbing pain
Pain that worsens with eating, drinking, or biting
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
Swelling in the gums or face
Redness or discharge from the tooth
Fever or chills

Trauma/Damage

Dental trauma or damage can vary from mild to severe and could affect your teeth, gums, tongue, lips, jaws or soft tissues of your mouth. It can be caused by a number of issues, including:

Falls
Car accidents
Sports-related injuries
Work-related accidents

When mouth trauma is sustained, seeking emergency care from an experienced dentist gives you the best chance at positive outcomes. The longer you wait, the more damage you can sustain, making recovery more difficult.

Seek emergency care if you have experienced trauma resulting in:

Chipped teeth
Cracked teeth
Dislodged teeth
Knocked out teeth
Jammed tooth in socket
Cuts or lacerations
Broken or dislodged jaw

Bleeding That Won’t Stop

If you experience trauma-related bleeding, it may be necessary to seek emergency dental care if it continues after 15 minutes from its start. When bleeding occurs, apply pressure to the open wound.

If bleeding continues for more than 24 hours following an extraction, this may constitute a dental emergency. Talk to your dentist about after-care and recovery if you will have an extraction. Your dental team is your first line of defense against potential problems.

Dental Abscess: Infection

An abscess is a symptom of a bacterial infection and causes a collection of pus to form around a gum or tooth. Dental abscesses need the immediate care of an emergency dentist. The infection will not go away on its own. If left untreated, serious consequences such as bone infection, cellulitis, and sepsis can develop.

A dental abscess can occur due to:

Infection resulting from tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma
Damaged or broken tooth
Poor oral hygiene

Abscesses can form:

At the root of your tooth
In your gums surrounding your affected tooth
On the surface of your gums

Your dentist will determine where the problem is and discuss the best treatment methods, how you can prepare, and how to prevent further complications. Infection can become a life-threatening problem if not treated promptly.

Seek immediate emergency dental services if you have any of these symptoms:

Severe, throbbing pain in the affected tooth
Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
Swelling and redness in the gums or face
Bad breath
Fever
Pus drainage from the tooth or gums

Where to Turn When You Experience a Dental Emergency

Recognizing and responding promptly to dental emergencies is crucial for maintaining optimal oral health and preventing long-term complications. While not every dental problem requires immediate attention, it is essential to be aware of the signs that indicate a true emergency. If you are experiencing severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, dislodged teeth, or facial swelling, it may indicate that you need swift action and professional care.

Your dental team is your greatest ally in determining the urgency of your dental concerns. Knowing what counts as a dental emergency remains only the first step. You should never ignore signs that there is a problem, assuming they will go away on their own. Some dental complications will not go away without dental treatment. When these situations arise, seek the guidance of experienced dental professionals.

Find Your Emergency Dentist Today

If you think you may be experiencing a dental emergency call today to schedule a consultation with an experienced emergency dentist.

Reference:
Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Dental Trauma.